Dharmasere

Dharmasere
Directed byPuttanna Kanagal
Screenplay byPuttanna Kanagal
Based onDharma Sere
by Jada Bharatha
Produced byAarathi
StarringSrinath
Aarathi
Sathyapriya
Jai Jagadish
CinematographyS. Maruti Rao
Edited byV. P. Krishnan
Music byUpendra Kumar
Production
company
Sri Amba Films
Release date
  • 7 March 1979 (1979-03-07)
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Dharmasere (pronunciation, lit.'The Religious Bind') is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language romance film, based on the novel of the same name by Jada Bharatha. It was adapted into a screenplay by Puttanna Kanagal and produced by actress Aarathi under the banner Sri Amba Films. The film stars Aarathi as Tunga, Srinath as Maadhu and Sathyapriya as Leela. The film tells the story of a mute girl who gets married off to her sister's husband and live the solitary life.

The theme of the film is based on a poignant portrayal of young dumb women of that era, the scorn, humiliation and neglect they faced from the society. It has cinematography by S. Maruti Rao, and editing by V. P. Krishnan. The original score and songs were composed by Upendra Kumar, with lyrics by Vijaya Narasimha, and songs featuring the voices of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

Upon release, the film was critically acclaimed and also was commercially successful. At the 27th Filmfare Awards South, the film won three awards including Best film and Best actress for Aarathi and also Best director for Kanagal. Aarathi was also awarded Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of deaf and dumb woman.